My addiction to the Tour de France is being fed for the next few weeks.  I have mentioned before my marvel at the ability of these riders, their ability to ride strenuously for four hours and then sprint to the finish, their ability to ride furiously in a pack- the peleton- trusting the riders around them- teammates and opposing riders alike- to ride for the benefit of the whole (inches away from each other's tires, taking turns as 'wind breakers' for teammates and opposing team members).  The understood respect, the accepted norms which enable all to perform well is impressive.  It is grueling work, all of it, a group dedicated to their respective rides and to the knowledge that working together enriches individual and group alike.

In our bible study, small group sessions and worship at Taize', there was regular need for translation among the differing languages.  At times it was cumbersome as one would express a thought, then the group would wait for translation, then respond and then hear the response in translation and again in translation and again in response...  At times it felt like a large weight set upon the ability to stay present in discussions and hearing of words.  Community took work and commitment to all present.

When I read reports from General Convention, I have at times the sense that persons using one language are going through the same kind of work as was experienced among differing languages at Taize':  need for translation due to varying experiences and backgrounds.  Community is indeed work- listening, hearing, laying down my need for things to work the way I wish at the pace I wish, having to discern when we move ahead and when we wait.

Lest I get too romantic about the Tour peleton, commentators mentioned this week some gruffness on the part of one team toward some other teams due to the sense the other teams were not taking part in the sharing of work in the peleton.  Community is work; self sacrifice not to be taken for granted.  When self-sacrifice is not mutual, do we quit or keep moving?

Peace,

Todd Donatelli